Services

600 protest against cuts to services at Withybush Hospital

Around 600 people have protested against controversial potential service reductions at Haverfordwest's Withybush Hospital today (Saturday).

Carrying placards, the large group congregated outside the hospital to protest against the planned closure of the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) and other potential changes which could see some maternity services transferred 30 miles away to Carmarthen.

The protest was organised by SWAT - the Save Withybush Action Team.

Among those protesting was mum-of-two Kylie O'Neill.

At a day old, her son Oisin's heart rate dropped and he turned blue. Oisin spent a week in SCBU, and she says the care she received was "fantastic".

"It was only because we were in the ward next door they got to him in time," she said.

When her daughter Aoife was born breech, she said the 'safety net' of knowing a C-section would be available if needed was a huge reassurance.

"If it had come to it I knew I was in the best possible hands."

Stephen Crabb MP said the turn-out for the protest was excellent, with people from "all backgrounds and areas of Pembrokeshire" in attendance.

He said it was vital to "send a clear and united message to the health minister in Cardiff that Pembrokeshire people want this hospital and are determined to save essential local services".

People gathered from around 10.30 this morning, with about 600 people turning out in total.

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